Compared to aging Americans, Japanese elders seem to have more personal growth production. Japanese elders are more likely to make the most of their time by developing and increasing their skills while also making the most out of their own talents and abilities.

Japanese Views on Death

The Japanese believe there is a life after death and if someone in their culture dies without a limb or some important body part they believe that the deceased person will have a hard time on the ‘other side’. In addition to this, I read that some Japanese families will want their deceased relatives to be moved out of the morgue and back home as soon as possible because they believe that the morgue is too cold or lonely for their already departed loved one.

In Chinese culture, it’s very important to respect the elders in the family. Having high respect for an older relative is considered the norm and respectful. For a while, it was looked down on to put elderly family members in retirement homes in China because it was seen as very dishonorable. Now because of the growing population, having a relative in a retirement home is more accepted.

Chinese Views on Death

According to Confucianism, people shouldn’t be afraid of death. If the person has lived a moral life, they will go to heaven. Although it wasn’t expanded on what that heaven is. Taoists believe that death is natural and if they have followed a moral life, they will achieve mortality after death. They expand on this by saying life is an illusion and death is an awakening.

In African cultures, it’s common for the elderly to be in charge of property and also the power to give permission for younger family to get married and who to get married to. They also view large families as a symbol of health, success and security.

African Views on Death

To help lessen fears and the overall intimidation of death and dying, African cultures celebrate life through death. They see it as a natural cycle of life that everyone should welcome and not fear. 

In this culture, the Latino and Latino community generally views aging as a positive change. They see their confidence growing with their growing families. Although there was some information about how they do find it more challenging to stay fit, overall men found they felt more attractive as they aged.

Latino and Latina views on Death

It is common for death to be a deep cut in a family of this culture. It’s common for people to pray and wail for days in the presence of their deceased family member. Although, I did see something that mentioned it was looked down on if men were wailing or showing too much emotion because it wasn’t considered masculine.

It’s common for women to be widowed while they are in the process of aging. These women have started a lone-residency trend in some middle eastern countries because they do not have a spouse. Because of this independence, there are new expectations of aging and quality of life among this culture.

Middle Eastern Views on Death

In Muslim culture, when someone is dying they are either to recite or hear someone recite Kalimah which helps the transition to death. After passing, someone then pours sharbat, sugar and water, down the deceased person's throat to facilitate the exit of their last life spark.